David Condon Finds

My connection to Killorglin runs deep. Both sides of my family come from this vibrant Kerry town, and I spent a lot of my early years there. I remember the fairs, the markets, and the hum of local life that filled every corner, a real sense of community and tradition that stays with you. Every August, Killorglin’s streets fill once again with music, markets, cattle, horses and sheep. A fair like no other in the world. For centuries, locals have gathered to crown a wild mountain goat as King Puck. Strange? Yes. Wonderful? Absolutely. And it’s that mix of the unusual and the traditional that makes Puck Fair so memorable. A Kerry Tradition Older Than Most Puck Fair has run, in some form, for over 400 years. It began as a cattle fair and grew into something much bigger, part trading event, part carnival, part reunion for families scattered across Ireland and beyond. You’ll find: • Livestock trading • Street music • Market stalls • The travelling amusements of William Bird & S...

Walk through any craft fair in Kerry and you’ll spot it – that moment when someone runs their hand across a woollen blanket or picks up a wooden bowl and just smiles. That’s the magic of Irish craft gifts. I’ve spent years creating and selling handcrafted Irish hardwood pieces myself, so I’ve seen first-hand what makes a true Irish craft gift special — the time, care, and personality behind each one.

If you’ve collected LEGO for any length of time, you’ll know that feeling, the sinking realisation when a set you meant to buy suddenly disappears from the shelves. One week it’s sitting there on LEGO.com  with a big yellow “Backorder” button, and the next week it’s gone. Retired. Finished. And of course, two minutes later it’s €1,000–€1,500 on eBay.

I’ll start this by saying that this post applies to tourists coming to Ireland on vacation or holiday, and to our own “staycationers” who are brave enough to holiday at home. It’s written as a broad, practical guide for getting the most out of your time here, whatever the weather. If you do happen to find yourself in Kerry at any point, many of these ideas apply just as well there too.

How Airbnb Experience Reviews Really Work — A Guide for Hosts and Guests This guide is for both new Airbnb Experience Hosts  and curious Guests who want to understand how the Airbnb review system really works . Reviews on Airbnb aren’t just a formality, they directly affect a Host’s visibility, bookings, and reputation. Even well-meaning feedback  like dropping a star, making a vague comment, or answering Airbnb's extra questions without much thought can hurt a Host’s score and reduce their chances of getting future bookings. Many people don’t realise how easily this happens, or how much it can impact a small business. Note: This post originally lived on my main site, David Condon Woodcraft, but I’ve rehomed it here to keep that site focused purely on woodcraft and woodturning. This topic fits more naturally on David Condon Finds, where I write about platforms, experiences, and wider observations beyond the workshop. I was brought up with the phrase 'If you've nothing good...

I finished building the UCS Venator during Christmas, and at over 5,000 pieces it has been one of the most demanding LEGO builds I’ve taken on so far. Not difficult in a frustrating way, but demanding in terms of focus, space, patience, and sheer physical tiredness by the end of a session. I’ve already written about why I wanted to buy the Venator and where it sits in my growing UCS collection , but this post is more about the build itself . The practical side. The moments where things flow beautifully, and the moments where you really should stop, step away, and come back fresh.

We've all been there at one time or another.  A leisurely trip to the local Farmer's Market suddenly turns sour and brings you to the point of panic. Unexpectedly, a Market Trader and your good self  have made brief eye contact.  He/she has smiled pleasantly with a hopeful look that you will come over and look at their goods on display and possibly make a purchase.   Your heart beat increases exponentially and in your 'fight or flight' state your eyes dart around left and right looking for that distraction that will get you off the hook. You only came down for a loaf of bread and some small cake goodies, you never expected to be caught in the gaze of some small craft maker who wants you to buy from them. 

The days just after Christmas have a strange kind of calm to them. The rush has passed, the chaos of the lead-up is over, and for a few days the whole country seems to slow down, or even stop, at the same time. Shops go quiet, inboxes settle, and even the dog seems to think it’s time to take it easy. For me, this week has always felt like a mini reset that arrives automatically every year, whether I plan it or not. It’s not quite the New Year, and not quite the old year, just an odd little gap where life pauses long enough for you to catch your breath. The Pace Finally Slows Down St. Stephen’s Day 26th December is the first day I notice the difference. There’s no pressure to be anywhere, no deliveries coming in, no customer queries waiting. No Christmas dinner to eat and no gifts to give out. Even my workshop feels different. The tools stay quiet, the lathe stays off, and I’m not rushing from one job to the next. The office PC isn’t whirring constantly under my desk, or groaning unde...